Ellroy turns his eye to the Kennedy Era. Like in many of his books there are three tough protagonists – a tough shonky cop who could be played by Russell Crowe, a suave political type who you imagine George Clooney played, plus an alcoholic cop who’s the John C Reilly part.
After LA Confidential I set myself the task of thinking “how would you adapt this?” It would be tricky as the plot goes all over the shop – the three lead characters pick up enthusiasm for things then drop them – RFK fighting the mob, working for Howard Hughes, the anti-Castro crusade, blackmailing JFK, helping JFK get elected, stealing heroin. Towards the end they are united in trying to kill JFK but that doesn’t take up much of the book. Still it’s gripping, compulsive reading, full of vivid scenes.
Ellroy has a taste for Hollywood gossip – Walter Pigeon was gay, Bing Crosby beat his second wife – but surprisingly (and quite wittily) poo poos the rumour that JFK rooted Marilyn Monroe. The most likeable character is the gay but tough comic. Didn’t quite buy why Ward turned ruthless and why did he kill Kemper Boyd at the end?
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